Match Reports - Under 16s, Under 15s and Under 13s

Under 16’s - Verulamians 19 Vs Saracens 36

First Half

The first half saw a good 10 minutes of even play, with Vees highlight being an excellent clearing kick by Jamie – showing intelligence to relieve pressure within our 22.

Saracens were first to strike though as they eventually crashed over from short range.  0-7

A lost scrum with our patchwork front row put us in trouble and we saw sustained pressure until Saracens worked wide and sucked in the cover defence for an easy try.  0-12

From kick off, the Saracens winger made a great break with Will making the tackle on the 5m line but the Saracens support was there for the offload.  0-19

Vees were able to hit back next following a JJ crash ball which setup a ruck.  Will picked up, spotted no guard behind the ruck and cantered over, unopposed, under the posts.  Will added the conversion as Jamie received treatment on a knee bang.  7 – 19 at the half.

Second Half

From a couple of crash balls, the Saracens 2nd row broke through and showing excellent pace for a big man was able to score under posts despite Will and Sam being in pursuit.  He also crushed my hand when he shook it afterwards!  7-24.

Saracens added to their lead with a try from a 5m lineout and an excellent conversion from a tight angle.  7-31.

The next action saw some handbags being flung (always worrying when I have to run on and split up players bigger than me now).  As both teams were separated for a talking to, Will gave a fantastic speech about passion, desire and the boys looking like they wanted to be on the pitch. 

After the speech, Vees cam out looking to play much harder, from a ruck, Sam FB spotted space and kicked for the wing, Will kicked on then two deft touches from Ethan saw the ball rest just short of the dead ball line and he touched down for the Try.  12-31.

From a lost ruck, Saracens attack each wing in turn, stretching the defence and getting a well worked try.  12-36.

From the kick off Vees forced pressure and got the ball back.  Quick ball out to Jamie F saw him throw an excellent miss pass to Ethan saw him step the last defender for the final try of the match, Jamie adding the conversion with his much improved kicking from all angles.  19-36.

Final Score

Vees 19 – 36 Saracens (Tries: Ethan x 2, Will.  Conversions:  Will, Jamie )

Player of the day – Forwards: George – he was in the thick of the action all game, demanding ball, supporting team mates and starting to look like a real handful for the opposition with his strength.  Great performance and great to see his development from when he started with us.

Player of the day – Backs: Ethan – A great display of finishing from the big winger showing great touch with his feet for his first try and superb footwork to step in for his second.  Great to see him back playing, training and scoring regularly after a couple of years battling injury.

Under 15’s - Verulamians & Welwyn 19 Vs Luton 50

This game saw the return of competitive Rugby for the Under 15’s as they hosted their first league fixture for the season, against a well organised visiting Luton side, who are always very difficult to play against. This was also the first competitive game as a combined Vees and Welwyn team, and it was particularly pleasing to see how far the team have progressed in such a short period of time - there is definitely a bright future for this combined under 15’s team.

Vees & Welwyn started extremely well, gaining good territory and looking particularly strong when contesting the ball, however, Luton worked their way back into the flow of the game, and went over the line , but were excellently held up by the VWs and prevented a try, only for the ball to break loose moments later and a darting Luton run took them over the try line, and saw the successful kick for the conversion.

The VW’s answered back, with excellent team pressure building in opposition territory, allowing Alfie to pick up the ball and race across the line for a try, which was then coolly converted at an angle with great technique floating the ball easily through the posts.

From the restart the VWs tried to pressure and gain territory further up the pitch, but this unfortunately allowed Luton to counter attack through the VWs back line and scoring a try right under the posts, leaving an easy finish for the conversion, which was well taken.

After the restart Luton and the VWs continued to compete excellently and the Vees forwards drove a scrum carrying the ball forwards which Lucas picked up and burst through to score a try, unfortunately from an awkward and difficult angle the conversion was missed.

The game continued and Alfie was unlucky not to burst through again, with the last man making an excellent tackle to prevent a near certain VWs try, and the Luton team broke down the left wing,with the winger making a strong hand off and powerful run to go over the try line, which Luton excellently converted from the angle.

Despite Luton managing to break through and score a number of tries after this, the VWs looked really strong down the centre of the pitch with an excellent performance through the match and honourable mention for the ‘W’s’ Dillon, who continued to drive the ball up the pitch against strong Luton resistance.

Lucas broke through with a purposeful run to go over the line and score another try which was duly converted, but by this time the lead had become too much for the VWs to pull back. Towards the end of play Ben had to come off the pitch in some discomfort with an injury - all the VWs parents, supporters, players and coaches wish him a speedy recovery, and he had an excellent game up to that point.

The game was strongly contested by both sides and played with a great spirit so well done to all the VWs team and of course, well done to Luton for such a good performance, making it a great game for the spectators.

Under 13’s - Chess Valley 4 vs Verulamians 1

A perfect storm occurred for the Verulamians Under 13’s, who had 7 players pull out due to injury and illness, leaving the Vees with a strong team but one short of numbers. I’m reliably informed that it was a tough encounter, with many of the team that played picking up knocks and injuries as the game went on. That said the Vees started excellently with Seb scoring a superb try for the away side early on. Over the course of the game the Chess Valley pulled themselves back into the game with their superior numbers, whilst the Vees put in a spirited performance to keep Chess Valley at bay for a long period of time, however, four tries were scored by Chess Valley towards the end of the game, as their good rugby, spirit and endeavour paid off to take the victory.

Well done to both sides!